System for climbing training

ABSTRACT

A climbing trainer comprising a movable climbing training wall surface defined by a continuous belt rotatably disposed about a pivotable frame and controllably actuated to rotate at a selected speed, the pivotable frame and support being selected to provide a desired inclination of the climbing training wall within a range including positive inclinations and negative inclinations; the movement of said wall surface and inclination of said pivotable frame being controllable by electronic means; and wherein a wall controller comprising a microprocessor controls said trainer to provide a climb simulation having a plurality of segments of different difficulty; said differing difficulty being facilitated by alteration of at least one parameter of a group of parameters consisting of vertical distance of wall surface movement, speed of wall surface movement, inclination of said wall surface, and designation of particular holds affixed to said wall surface as available and unavailable; said simulating being a compilation of instructions for said wall controller which can be transferred to the wall controller from elsewhere via a data link, and may be transferred via a global computer network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to climbing training equipment.The invention relates more particularly to a climbing wall trainingapparatus of the type having a continuous rotating wall surface adaptedfor climbing.

2. Description of the Related Art

In providing training opportunities for climbers it has been recognizedthat man-made climbing surfaces located in convenient locations areadvantageous. Accordingly many stationary climbing wall surfaces havebeen constructed throughout the world so as to be accessible toclimbers. In order to provide satisfactory training, relatively highstationary climbing walls are usually required. These involve a verylarge structure, and if enclosed and isolated from the weather, afurther large structure is required for this isolation purpose as well.These later considerations limit the places where climbing walls of thistype can be located.

Provision of a continuous rotating wall surface allows the climbingtraining wall to be greatly reduced in height, and in effect can providea simulation of ascending any height desired by sufficient rotation ofthe continuous wall surface. Moreover, such a reduction in size allowsclimbing training in existing buildings of conventional design withoutextensive modification. Moreover, greatly reduced cost characterizessuch training apparatus when compared with necessarily large stationarywalls. Safety is enhanced as the climber does not ascend to a greatheight and belay or other provisions to prevent falls of dangerousextent need not be required. Usually only a simple safety mat to cushionsuch short falls as may be experienced need be provided.

Difficulties in providing such a continuous rotating climbing surfacefor training have been encountered. Particularly, known devicesgenerally do not provide a great deal of adjustability in positiveand/or negative inclination. Some training walls have characteristicsmaking training less effective, for example undesired play or give inthe climbing surface due to deflections of components of the deviceunder stresses applied during use.

Moreover, generally the rotating climbing wall of prior equipment waseither fixed or required manual adjustment of the angle of inclinationof the climbing surface. The user generally is required to stop climbingand either make adjustments or wait for others to make them beforecontinuing climbing at a different angle of inclination. This interruptstraining and decreases the similarity of training to a real climb istherefore undesirable.

These difficulties having been recognized, the present invention isdirected to providing, at a reasonably low cost, a climbing trainingapparatus with improved operational characteristics.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accordingly provides a climbing trainercomprising:

a support frame;

a pivoting frame having first and second ends and a pivot axisintermediate the first and second ends, the pivoting frame beingpivotably supported by the support frame allowing relative rotationalmovement about the pivot axis between the pivoting frame and the supportframe;

a pivot actuator selectively allowing and preventing relative rotationalmovement between the support frame and the pivoting frame about thepivot axis and rotationally moving said pivoting frame with respect tosaid support frame whereby the inclination of said pivoting frame can beselectively fixed;

a movable climbing training wall surface comprising a continuous belthaving an outer surface adapted to incorporate climbing holds, saidcontinuous belt being carried by and rotatable about said pivotingframe, the continuous belt being restrained from movement transverse toa plane of the climbing training wall surface so as to resist forcestending to pull climbing holds incorporated in the outer surface of thecontinuous belt away from the wall surface and those tending to pushsaid holds towards the wall surface, the climbing training wall surfacebeing moveable in a direction parallel to a plane defined by thetraining wall surface by rotation of the continuous belt about saidpivoting frame, said continuous belt being formed of a plurality ofinterlinked panels hinged together so as to be in force transmittingcontact along the hinges between panels so as to transfer forces otherthan moment forces about axes parallel to an axis of rotation of ahinged connection between panels;

a first spindle;

a second spindle, said first and second spindles rotatably carried bythe pivot frame at the first and second ends respectively of said pivotframe and rotatable about two parallel axes, the continuous beltcomprising said climbing training surface being disposed about saidspindles and bending about said two parallel axes, and wherein thecontinuous belt is stiffened to resist bending about a further axisorthogonal to said two parallel axes about which the first and secondspindles rotate, and

an wall surface actuator adapted to rotate said continuous belt aboutthe pivoting frame, whereby the climbing training wall surface is movedto provide a simulated climb, the inclination of the climbing trainingwall surface being adjustable by rotation of the pivotable frame over arange of inclinations including negative inclinations.

In a more detailed aspect, the continuous belt comprising said climbingtraining surface being disposed about said spindles and bending aboutsaid two parallel axes is stiffened to resist bending about a furtheraxis orthogonal to said two parallel axes about which the first andsecond spindles rotate. In a further detailed aspect the continuous beltfurther comprises a multiplicity of rotatably interlinked panels, eachbeing rotatable with respect to another about an axis parallel to saidtwo parallel axes about which said first and second spindles rotate, andconfigured to mitigate unintentional engagement of the training wallsurface with things which would otherwise be caught and moved with saidwall surface by minimizing opening and closing of voids between saidrotationally interlinked panels. The climbing trainer can furthercomprise at least one interchangeable hold releasably affixed to one ofsaid rotationally interlinked panels.

In another detailed aspect the actuator can comprise a variable speedmotor coupled to at least one of said first and second spindles, saidclimbing trainer further comprising a speed control operable from saidcontinuous climbing surface, said speed control being adapted to varythe speed of the motor. Moreover, the climbing trainer can include anemergency safety kill switch operable from said continuous climbingtraining surface and adapted to stop movement of said belt about saidpivoting frame and can also stop relative rotational movement betweensaid pivoting frame and said base frame.

In a still further more detailed aspect the rotatably interlinked panelscan be extrusions having first and second sides comprising an innerhinge portion having an outer cylindrical configuration at the firstside and an outer hinge portion at the second side having an innercylindrical configuration configured to engage said inner hinge portionof an adjacent panel and cooperate to provide a hinge between adjacentpanels. The rotatably interlinked panels can be formed of a metal ormetal alloy comprising aluminum.

In another more detailed aspect the continuous belt defines an innersurface and first and second ends, said belt being slidably connected tosaid pivoting frame by at least one connection between said pivotingframe and said inner surface intermediate the first and second ends ofthe belt, and wherein said connection allows relative movement of theframe and continuous belt in a direction parallel to a plane defined bythe climbing training wall surface and restricts movement in a directionorthogonal to said plane, whereby said continuous belt is restrictedfrom movement orthogonal to said plane defined by the climbing wallsurface by at least one sliding connection to the pivoting frameintermediate the first and second edges of the belt.

In a further detailed aspect the climbing trainer further comprises awall controller which controls the pivot actuator and wall surfaceactuator, said wall controller having a memory, whereby data comprisinga climb simulation is storable in said controller and said controllerinitiates timed movements of said pivot actuator and said wall surfaceactuator to provide a climb simulation. The climbing trainer may furthercomprise a data link whereby data comprising a climb simulation can betransferred to said wall controller. Moreover, data comprising saidclimb simulation can be transferred via a computer network from a remotesite.

In another detailed aspect the climbing trainer can further comprise apersonal computer connected to said wall controller via said data link,said data being transferred from said personal computer to said wallcontroller via said data link. The climbing simulation can be stored ona memory device accessible by said personal computer. The personalcomputer can be connected to a computer network and said data comprisingthe climbing simulation can be transferred to said personal computer viasaid network from a storage site located elsewhere on said network. Infurther detail, data comprising a climb simulation can be used by saidwall controller to simulate a climb having a plurality of segments ofdifferent difficulty by reason of variation of at least one parameterfrom a group of parameters consisting of speed of wall surface movementand inclination of said pivotable frame. In this regard said range ofinclinations comprises those negative inclinations between a maximumnegative inclination where said climbing training wall surface isdisposed horizontally facing downward and a positive inclination wheresaid climbing training wall surface is disposed facing upward at anoblique angle with respect to vertical. The segments in combination cansimulate a climbing route based on an actual climbing route which hasbeen mapped and difficulties of various segments determined.

Further aspects and advantages of the invention will be appreciated bystudy of the drawings and the following detailed description of thepreferred embodiments which are provided by way of explanation and notby way of limitation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a climbing wall apparatus of theinvention, showing various possible inclinations of a climbing wallsurface in outline;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view, partly in section, of the apparatus ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view from above, partially in section, of the climbingapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, partially in section, of the climbingtrainer of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a more detailed front elevational view, partially in section,of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a more detailed front elevational view, partially in section,of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a more detailed front elevational view, partially in section,of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a more detailed top view, partially in section, of a portionof the climbing trainer shown in FIG. 3 showing particularly the wormgear drive motor and drive assembly and fixed center gear actuatingrotation of the inner frame; and

FIG. 9 is a more detailed side elevational view, partially in section,of a portion of the climbing trainer shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9a is a more detailed sectional view of a portion of the climbingwall rotationally connected extruded panels forming the rotating wallsurface illustrating details of the hinge connection between panels whenthe panels are positioned on a vertical face of the rotating climbingwall surface.

FIG. 9b is a more detailed sectional view of a portion of the climbingwall rotationally connected extruded panels forming the rotating wallsurface illustrating details of the hinge connection between panels whenthe panels are positioned on a spindle at an end of the rotating innerframe.

FIG. 10 is a more detailed side elevational view, partially in section,of a portion of an alternate embodiment of the climbing trainer shown inFIG. 4.

FIG. 11a is a more detailed front elevational view, partially insection, of a portion of an alternate embodiment of the climbing trainershown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 11b is an exploded view of the detail shown in FIG. 11a.

FIG. 12 is a front elevation view of a control panel of the climbingtrainer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a climbing training system of theinvention illustration interaction of various elements.

FIG. 14 is a time/logic diagram illustrating operation of one embodimentof the system shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a time/logic diagram illustrating operation of anotherembodiment of the system shown in FIG. 13.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1 of the drawings, which are given by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, a climbing wall apparatus 10 ofthe invention includes a continuous climbing surface 12 comprisingrotatably interconnected extruded aluminum panels 14 having receptacles16 for releasably receiving climbing hold fixtures 18 of variousconfigurations. The nature and placement of the hold fixtures can bevaried between climbs to provide more variation of the climbing surfacein training. The climbing surface is carried by an inner frame (notshown) pivotably supported by an outer frame 20. A cushioned mat 22 isprovided to cushion the impact of a climber's body as a result of afall. A control panel 24 is provided adjacent the wall surface forconvenient access, including access by a climber on the wall surface 12.Additionally two emergency stop pads 26, 28 are provided which whenmoved stop the rotation of the wall surface. Power is provided via apower cord 30 of conventional configuration.

The control panel 24 allows a user climbing on the trainer to reach overand adjust the inclination of the wall surface and the speed of the wallsurface. The control panel also includes an indication of the “height”climbed which is a resetable measurement of the distance the wallsurface has moved. The control panel is electrically connected to aconventional controller (not shown) which controls the speed anddirection of drive motors which actuate the climbing wall apparatus ofthe climbing trainer. The controller employs a 8051 microprocessor andcan also include RAM and ROM memory.

With reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the outer frame includes tubularsteel members 32, 34, 36 comprising a base, 38 and 40 comprising risers,and adjustable tension members 42, 44, 46, 48. The risers supportstationary horizontal steel tubular members 50, 52, which in turnrotatabley support the inner frame 54. The inner frame comprises acentral rotating tubular member 56 formed of steel, side members 58, 60and cross members 62 and 64. Braces 66 are used at points where framemembers meet to provide increased rigidity. Horizontal axles 68, 70 arerotatabley supported by the side members adjacent the outer endsthereof. Axal 68 is driven by a drive motor 67 and gear assembly 69,while axal 70 is freely rotatable. Octagonal spindles 72, 74, 76, 78disposed on the axles engage rotatably linked aluminum extruded panels14 comprising a rotatable climbing surface 12. The linked panels form acontinuous belt-like structure which rotates about the spindles. Thedistance between axles 70 and 68 is adjustable by means of adjustabilityin the location of bearings 80 supporting axle 70. The entire innerframe 54 and the continuous rotatable wall surface 12 formed of thelinked panels 14 is rotatable about a horizontal central axis 82 bymeans of a worm gear drive motor 83 and worm gear assembly 84 mounted onthe side member 58 of the inner frame. Affixed circular gear 86 fixedlycarried by the horizontal tubular sleeve 50 cooperates with the wormgear drive assembly to provide adjustability in the rotational positionof the inner frame with respect to the horizontal central axis 82 andthe outer frame 20. A central tension member 88 coaxial with the centralaxis 82 extends through the interior of horizontal tubular member 56 toincrease rigidity of the outer frame and cooperates with the inner frameto provide this effect.

The panels 14 are guided and supported by the inner frame 54 by guidemembers 90 attached to the panels 14 which slidably engage and travelalong the inner frame side members 58, 60 by cooperation with anoutwardly extending flange 92 incorporated in the inner frame sidemembers. Low friction materials such as lubricous polymer resin, Teflon,or the like can be attached to the inner frame at points where the guidemembers slidably engage and contact it. This configuration prevents thepanels forming the continuous wall from separating from the inner frame.This is very important when negative inclination is selected for thewall surface 12. A climber user's weight is supported in extremenegative inclination (horizontal) entirely by the guide members 90slidably carried by the frame members 58, 60 at that position of theinner frame.

A control panel 24 is supported by the outer frame as before mentioned,as are emergency stop pads 26, 28 and the switches 94 actuated therebywhich cut all power to all drive motors 69, 83. Further controlelectronics 96 are mounted on inner frame member 58. Rotation of theinner frame with respect to the inner frame being limited, flexiblecables (not shown) can be employed in electrical connections between thecontrol panel 24, power cord 30, emergency stop pad switches 94 and thefurther control electronics and drive motors mounted on the inner frame.

Further details can be appreciated with reference to FIGS. 5, 6, 7, and8. Particularly with reference to FIG. 8, blocks of lubricous material98 are attached to the flange 92 of the inner frame side member 58.

Turning now to FIG. 9, details of the extruded aluminum panels 14 can beappreciated. Each panel comprises an inner hinge portion 100 and anouter hinge portion 102. Furthermore, the configuration of the panelsare identical and cooperate with the octagonal spindle to provide smoothrotation. Adjustment bolts 104 allow adjustment of the tension of thecontinuous belt-like rotating wall 106 formed by the rotatably linkedpanels 14. With reference to FIGS. 9a and 9 b, further details of thehinge connection between panels in one embodiment includes provision ofa sleeve 101 of C-shaped cross-section between the inner hinge portion100 and the outer hinge portion 102. As can be appreciated this givessmoother and quieter operation of the apparatus and reduces the need forlubrication between panels at the hinged connection between them. Also,the advantages in reducing pinching or catching clothes of the user ofthe panel configuration is more clearly shown. As can be appreciated, asthe hinge rotates between limits of rotational motion shown in FIGS. 9aand 9 b the configuration of the extruded panels 14 at the hingeconnection between them does no allow an object or flesh of the user orothers to be caught due to the very shallow depth of an indentation 103which widens and narrows and the beveled configuration of the panels 14where they form the indentation 103 adjacent the inner and outer hingeportion 100, 102 when the panels are assembled to form the belt-likerotating wall 106.

With reference again to FIG. 9 The belt-like rotating wall is carried onthe inner frame members 58 and 60 and held thereto by interaction ofguide members 90 and the flange 92 discussed above. Openings 108 areprovided in the inner frame members to save weight in the members (58 isshown).

With reference to FIG. 10, in another embodiment a worm gear drive motor83 and worm gear assembly 84 is mounted 180 degrees with respect to theaxis of rotation of the wall surface from that shown in the previousfigures. Also, a drive motor 67 and gear assembly 69 for actuating therotating wall surface formed by the continuous belt-like interlinkedpanel assembly is moved from the top spindle 68 to the bottom spindle 70in this embodiment. This lowers the center of gravity. The configurationof drive assemblies 67, 69, 83, 84 in this embodiment is advantageous inthat the inner frame 54 of the wall assembly tends to rotate to avertical position, and accordingly if the worm drive gear assembly isdisengaged so that the inner frame of the wall assembly can freelyrotate, it will move to a vertical position and remain there. This ishelpful in manufacturing, but also, when a user is climbing on the wallsurface less strain overall on the worm drive assemblies results fromthis juxtaposition of drive assemblies.

In one embodiment a sensor plate 112 is fixed to the stationaryhorizontal steel tubular member 50 along with the stationary circulargear 86. Sensors 114 cooperate with the sensor plate to provide a signalto the wall controller 96 concerning the angular position of the innerframe 54 to the outer frame 20, and accordingly its inclination withrespect to vertical (or horizontal).

Referring to FIG. 2, in a further embodiment the climbing apparatus isprovided with light sources 108 and photo sensors 110 at the top andbottom of the wall. This provides a signal when a beam of light from thesource to the sensor in each case is interrupted. This signal can beused to control the wall to mitigate hazards to the user. For example inone embodiment the microprocessor of the wall controller 96 isprogrammed to respond to a signal that the beam between the light source108 and sensor 110 on the bottom of the wall assembly has been broken bystopping the rotation of the wall surface. This is done as it may bethat a person or object is positioned between the bottom of the rotatingwall 106 and the mat 22. The microprocessor can be further programmed torespond to such a signal only when the bottom of the wall is within aselected distance of the mat (corresponding to a certain range ofrotational angles of the wall from the vertical). In another embodimentif the light beam between the light source and sensor located at the topof the wall is broken the wall controller temporarily stops rotation ofthe wall surface and an audible warning may be given. This is todiscourage users from climbing over the top of the wall apparatus whenit is in motion. In these ways the risk of accident and injury to theuser is lowered.

With reference to FIGS. 11a and 11 b, in another embodiment the centraltension member 88 is eliminated in favor of the configuration shown. Thecentral rotating tubular member 56 is retained in the stationaryhorizontal tubular member 52 by means of a plate 116 welded inside thecentral rotating tube 56 (having an opening 118 for passage of wiringand power cord, etc.) and an end cap 120 also having an opening 118corresponding to that of the plate 116 which are bolted together bybolts 122. This arrangement ties the assembled structure together sothat axial forces can be transmitted across the rotatableinterconnection of elements 52 and 56. Sleeves 124 of lubricous materialseparate the central rotating member 56 and the horizontal tubularmember 52 and provide for smooth relative rotation.

With reference to FIG. 12, a detail of the control panel 24 front faceis illustrated. A liquid crystal display 124 allows alpha-numericcharacter display of information in operation of the system as describedbelow in connection with FIGS. 13-15. Height and time of a climb orclimb segment is displayed in a LED height time display 126. LEDsindicate height 125 or time 127. Speed of the rowing climbing wallsurface 106 in vertical feet per minute is displayed in LED speeddisplay 128. Speed can be manually adjusted by actuation of the upbutton 130 or down button 132 associated with speed. The incline of thewall surface is indicated in LED incline display 134. Adjustment ofspeed is manually possible using the associated up or down buttons.Start button 136 begins wall operation after initialization of thesystem. Reset button 138 re-initializes the system. Pre-programmedclimbs can be accessed by depressing selection buttons 141, 142, 143,144, or 145 or these in combination with a shift button 140. Each buttonis associated with two pre-programmed climb simulations and initiatesone or the other depending on whether the shift button 140 was pressedbeforehand. “Save,” “get,” and “set” buttons 146, 148, 150 respectivelyare used in storing and retrieving user defined climb simulations.

With reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 as well as 12, the electronic controlof the speed of movement and inclination of the wall surface 106 allowspre-programmed climb simulations to be performed. For example, storedclimbs may be accessed by a user 152 via the control panel 24 bypressing selection button 141, 142, 143, or 144 or one of these precededby the shift button 140. The wall is provided in one embodiment withnon-volatile memory wherein one or more instruction sequences forcontrolling the movement of the wall is stored. Pressing one of thepre-programmed climb buttons initiates a sequence of wall movementsstored in such non-volatile memory. This is conventionally implementedusing programmable microprocessors as discussed above.

A climb of various pitches of varied difficulty can thus be simulated.By variation of the angle of inclination, and variation speed ofmovement of the wall surface 106, climbing difficulty can be varied.Also, in one embodiment this can be further varied by using color codedholds of different configuration and placed on the wall surface so as toprovide a variation in difficulty of negotiation from one color toanother, for example. By controlling the wall so as to provide a fistsimulated climb segment of a first degree of difficulty of a selectedtime duration and a second segment of a second time duration having asecond degree of difficulty, and so on, a simulated climb of a selectedtime duration having variable difficulty over this time duration isprovided. In one embodiment for example up to 15 climb segments can beprovided, the time duration, inclination, speed of wall movement allbeing variable from one segment to the next. Moreover, the display 124or an audible artificial voice can specify what color holds are to beused, adding a further parameter that can be varied from segment tosegment. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thisprovides variation in training and can be accomplished without stoppingthe climb simulation to manually adjust the equipment. Due to the largerange of angles of inclination (horizontal to 15 degrees past verticalin the presently preferred embodiment) large variations in degrees ofdifficulty due to vertical angle are possible.

In another embodiment the wall controller 96 is also provided with adata link 154 capability, such as a standard serial port for example tocommunicate with another device, such as a personal computer 156(hereinafter PC) for example. Pre-programmed climbs in the form of aseries of instructions for use by the microprocessor of the wallcontroller can be transferred to the wall controller from the PC. In afurther embodiment the wall controller is provided with additional wallmemory 158 which can accept and store data and which can be overwritten,and pre-programmed climbs can be transferred from the PC to the wallmemory via the data link 154. In one embodiment this would constitute anadditional capability beyond pre-programmed climbs stored innon-volatile memory used by the wall controller. The transferredpre-programmed climb can then be initiated from the control panel 24,for example by pressing a combination or sequence of buttons such as“shift” 140 and “get” 148 then “start” 136.

In one embodiment a PC 156 is connected to the wall controller 96 via aserial port and appropriate cabling and connectors (collectively 154).Software stored on the PC cooperates with that of the microprocessor ofthe wall controller 96 to allow the transfer of data comprising apre-programmed climb simulation. In one embodiment the controller isprogrammed so that pressing the “shift” 140 and “set” 150 buttonssimultaneously initiates the wall controller microprocessor to receiveand store climb data. The display 124 shows “downloading” as a result.The user then initiates a download from the PC according to screeninstructions on the PC. When the transfer is complete both the wallcontrol panel display and the PC screen display “download complete” andthe wall control panel subsequently displays “any key to continue”.Pressing any key on the wall control panel then returns the wallcontroller to normal operation. Software on the PC to accomplish thissequence of operations is conventional, as is the programming of thewall controller microprocessor. The data link 154 can then be broken,for example by disconnecting the cable between serial ports. In oneembodiment the newly downloaded climb is selected by pressing the“shift” and “get” 148 keys simultaneously. The simulation is started bypressing the “start” button. The display on the control panel canprovide information about what stage (pitch) of the simulated climb theuser is on during the simulation. As mentioned it can also display otherinformation such as color of holds to be used to further vary the climbsimulation.

In one embodiment the user can design a customized climb simulation andthen download it to the wall controller 96 microprocessor memory 158. Bymeans of appropriate software on the PC 156 a user can be prompted toenter parameters for a simulated climb. The parameters for up to 15climb segments (pitches) can be specified in one embodiment. For examplein one embodiment for each segment the user is prompted to enter a speedvalue from 2 to 50 vertical feet per minute (fpm), an incline value form−90 (horizontal) to +15 (15 degrees beyond vertical), and a verticaldistance of 1 to 255 feet. When the user has defined as many of the 15segments as desired the designed climb can then be stored in wallcontroller memory 158 by transfer of the data from the PC to the wallmemory as described above.

As can be appreciated the software of the PC 156 and the microprocessorof the wall controller 96 can also be programmed to allow transfer ofdata from the PC to the wall controller to change the wall inclinationand speed in real time effectively controlling the movement of the wallfrom the PC. This allows the relatively greater storage capacity of thememory of a PC to be used to store even more climb simulations which canbe readily accessed and used. As will be appreciated the programmingrequired is not extraordinary and conventional microprocessors andmemory commercially available from a wide variety of sources throughoutthe world can be utilized in the wall controller to implement theinvention as described herein. In one embodiment an 8051 microprocessorwidely commercially available from a variety of vendors is used.

In a further embodiment the preprogrammed climb simulation can bedelivered to the PC 156 via a data storage means such as a diskette 160.As can be appreciated such a climb program can be designed andprogrammed at one site by a climb designer 161 on a designer's PC 162then sent to another for use. In one embodiment a climb simulationinstruction sequence stored on disk and designed for use with a PC 156connectable to the wall controller as described above also includesadditional information about a real or imaginary climbing route theclimb simulation emulates. For example, a route map showing a route up areal or imaginary mountain or particular feature such as a spire or facefor example can be included. The pitches with the difficulty of each isshown. The climb simulation is designed to provide segments of lengthand difficulty similar to the real or imaginary route shown. Theadditional information is displayable on the screen of the PC 156 forthe user's edification. The user's perception of the climb simulation asone actually training the user for climbing is thereby enhanced and thetraining experience of the user of the apparatus is thereby improved.

Moreover, in another embodiment the pre-programmed climb simulation isdelivered to the apparatus via a computer network 164. As can beappreciated this is similar to the delivery just described but for thesubstitution of a line or wireless connection (collectively 154) of thePC to a network (including for example a global computer networkgenerally referred to as the Internet). Given that the PC 156 isprovided with a modem for a data link 154 with the Internet and a climbdesigner PC 162 is similarly equipped and connected, the climbsimulation can be conventionally stored on a storage device in thecomputer network and likewise conventionally accessed by the userthrough the user's PC 156, for example.

Furthermore, the software in the PC 156 enabling data transfer canlikewise be delivered via the Internet 164. This is advantageous in thatthe user can download software to enable new climbing simulations to beperformed after purchase and installation of the apparatus 10, andimproved software can be conveniently provided to users periodically bymaking such software available on a computer network, for example on aweb site on the Internet. Moreover, these advantages can be obtained bythe user 152 already having a PC 156 at minimal additional cost. Byproviding a data link 154 capability between the wall controller and aPC the advantages for convenient delivery of new climbing simulationsand improved PC software related to new climbing simulations of computernetworks such as the Internet are available to users. Accordingly, thesystem of the present invention is in effect upgradeable withoutadditional expense for new control hardware.

Moreover, the capabilities of storing and receiving pre-programmed climbsimulations, whether user-defined, pre-programmed in non-volatilememory, or provided from another site 162 via a memory device such as adiskette 160 or via a data link 154 over wire or wireless connection toanother computer or computer network 164 for example, provide anenhanced training experience over that generally possible withconventional training apparatus. The capability of executingpreprogrammed climbs delivered via the Internet, for example a “climb ofthe month” so delivered, allows increased variety in training andconstitutes a large increase in capability for enhancing the trainingexperience obtained through use of the methods, systems and apparatusset forth and described herein.

Persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that variousmodifications can be made from the presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention disclosed herein and that the scope of protection isintended to be defined only by the limitations of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A powered exercise device comprising: a supportframe; an exercise frame pivotably supported on the support frame forvarying the inclination of said exercise frame relative to the supportframe; an exercise frame actuator connected to said exercise frame fortilting said exercise frame relative to said support frame; a movableexercise surface mounted on said exercise frame for movement relative tosaid exercise frame; a power drive connected to said exercise surfacefor moving said exercise surface relative to said exercise frame, theinclination of said exercise frame and exercise surface relative to saidsupport frame being adjustable by said exercise frame actuator; and acomputerized controller for controlling the speed of movement of saidexercise surface and the pitch angle of said exercise frame, saidcontroller comprising: a memory programmed with data defining theparameters of a first simulated exercise; a data link for transferringdata defining the parameters of a second simulated exercise from aremote location to said memory; a manually operable control panel forselecting a desired simulated exercise; and a visual display ofparameters of the selected simulated exercise, said controller beingoperably connected to said actuator and to said power drive to controlthe speed of movement and inclination of said exercise surface inaccordance with the desired simulated exercise.
 2. The exercise deviceof claim 1, further comprising a safety kill switch actuatable by anindividual exercising on said exercise surface for terminating movementof said exercise surface.
 3. The exercise device of claim 2, furthercomprising a light source for generating a beam of light proximate saidexercise surface and a photosensor for receiving said beam of light,said switch also being actuatable by a signal generated by saidphotosensor upon interruption of said beam of light.
 4. The exercisedevice of claim 1, wherein said data is transferred via a computernetwork from a remote site.
 5. The exercise device of claim 1, furthercomprising a personal computer containing said data defining theparameters of said second simulated exercise, said computer beingconnected to said controller via said data link.
 6. The exercise deviceof claim 5, wherein said personal computer is connected to a computernetwork and said data is transferred to said personal computer via saidnetwork from a storage site located elsewhere on said network.
 7. Theexercise device of claim 6, wherein said exercise surface includesclimbing holds theron and said data comprises a climb simulation havinga plurality of segments of different difficulty by reason of variationof at least one parameter from a group of parameters consisting of speedof exercise surface movement and inclination of said exercise frame. 8.The exercise device of claim 7, wherein said segments in combinationsimulate an actual climbing route which has been mapped and for whichdifficulties of various segments have been determined.
 9. The exercisedevice of claim 1, wherein said data link comprises a personal computerand means for connecting said personal computer to a network.
 10. Theexercise device of claim 9, wherein said network is a global computernetwork.
 11. The exercise device of claim 10, wherein said visualdisplay includes displays of the duration and progress of the selectedexercise.